At the request of Motorola, which claims Microsoft is violating its wireless technology patents, the United States International Trade Commission is conducting an investigation that Motorola hopes ends with Microsoft forbidden to import Xboxes.

The USITC will investigate and render its “final determination” within 45 days, then set a target date for completing the investigation. After that point, the USITC can offer up remedial orders that settle the complaint, and those can go into effect within 60 days.

Kotaku speculates that the Motorola complaint is retaliation for Microsoft’s lawsuit against Motorola, in which Microsoft argues that Motorola charged it an unfair royalty rate.

It’s too bad the bickering companies can’t decide to settle this like grown-ups, over a Halo team deathmatch.

USITC INSTITUTES SECTION 337 INVESTIGATION ON CERTAIN GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT CONSOLES, RELATED SOFTWARE, AND COMPONENTS THEREOF [USITC via Slashdot]

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